Diamondeyed

Feb. 15th!!!!!! Dr. Garcia, ready to lose!!!!!!!!! Extremely excited!

I was type 2 diabetic, and I say was, because I asked God for a complete healing before the surgery. I was taking Metformin and Glypizide, and I am thrilled to say that those pill bottles are in the landfill. I have not had one pill since 8/29/12. I just had another f/u last week, and my levels are still normal. God is great, and he answers prayers. And I am 39 yrs. old, we are close in age.

Rock climbing, a bunch of sexual positions...like my husband to pick me up and give it to me against the wall!

I used chantix to quit. It worked for me. Three years smoke free and I had been a smoker for 24 years.

My insurance covers it too but I would have been devastated if they rejected me after doing 6 months of their pre op crap! Plus it was still cheaper going to MX! Best decision I ever made!

I feel the same way and that is also why I decided to go to Mexico.I could have waited until I had other health issues or could have gained another 40 lbs but then I would be 40 lbs heavier. I also figured out that with my 3k deductible and then a 20% co pay, I would pay at least what I am paying to travel to Mexico.

Rock climbing, a bunch of sexual positions...like my husband to pick me up and give it to me against the wall!

It's like a 3 year waiting period here, no thanks!

Lol... Me neither! I have decided to do this and I'm confident with my choice to go to Mexico. Kaiser says they will do it, but I have to go thru their hoops... 6 months to 1 year. No thanks. I want to be well on my way by this time next year...

My relative was to have the surgery with a guillermo Alvarez in Piedras Negras,Mx and sent the coordinator a $1,000 deposit...he went to see his own doctor in Manhatten and was told that he had a bleeding issue and NOT to have the procedure..he emailed the coordinator who told him that guillermo Alvarez REFUSED to return the $1,000 deposit( even tho there was a potentially serious medical issue at the time)clearly, the coordinator DID NOT want to lost her FEE and REFUSED to return the $1,000 to my relative( who is a struggling student )There is something called: ETHICS?It seems that it does not exist in this doctor's practice.?the coordinator should have RETURNED the $1,000 to my relative....keeping blood money is NOT right or ethical......I would NEVER go there or suggest anyone else to....even though....there is such desperation to have the surgical procedure......I am sure there are other better and more ethical programs,doctors and coordinators out there.....that behave in a humane manner.....don;t buy into the hype and glitzy self promoting websites.....because, all they are.... are self promoting....and they prey on the most Vulnerable.........

Well I can't speak for everyone with a low bmi, but for me it has been a constant struggle for me since the birth of my last child to refrain from becoming "morbidly obese". I have lost weight via diet pills, dangerous levels of exercise, etc. with a height of 5'3 any weight over 150 is not cute to me. So you do you and I'ma continue to do me..... don't judge....

I just compared my shirtless pics on holy wow what a difference! Today marks my 2 month surgiversary and I have gone from 385 to 298!!!! Keep working hard y'all! I have hit 3 stalls that discouraged me but pics say it all so here's my current!
48 - 38 jeans
3xl - xl shirts!

I was sleeved a couple of days before thanksgiving....i know sucks right?...and to date roughly 50 pounds.

Rock climbing, a bunch of sexual positions...like my husband to pick me up and give it to me against the wall!

Tomorrow marks one month since my sleeve. Yes I'm cold alot but sure beats how hot I felt before. As far as stress- mine seems lower, even as I wean off my bp & anxiety medication. And what was the other concern?? Oh yeah memory... Just kidding! I've haven't had any problems, in fact I think its better. I find it much easier to teach & lecture now!!!

Doing well today.. Sore but better than yesterday!!

Thank you so much for this post...Getting sleeved on 1/14 and I have stop reading the post because I was having second thought do to the negative pro-op comments...some comments are just making me so nervous! My goal is to get of the meds, weight lossvand get my life on track. I know it won't be easy but I see the positive outcome on my surgery ...

Hi all,
I was sleeved on Jan 17th 2012 by Dr. Garcia. I followed the post op exactly and healed perfect with zero complications. I just had an endoscopy in Dec and my Gastro here said my stomach line looked perfect. He is very skilled.
My #1 Advice: Go immediately, if not sooner, and purchase the GAS-X dissolvable strips. Do not try an off brand and do not try chewables. These were an absolute lifesaver that another VSG'er told me about. Matter of fact, buy 2 boxes as you will need them the first couple of weeks. I could only find them at Walgreens.
Your tummy will rumble like crazy after a sip of anything. Don't panic...it is just your tummy telling you its working hard.
The nurses do not wash their hands. It's a cultural thing. Don't stress about it, just ask them to wash them and they will do it. It is not rude and they totally understand. It's just not something they normally don't do.
Tip for the ladies (I may get in trouble for this): The really nice replica handbags are in the back of the purse stores right around the corner from the hospital. The ones they display on the street are the cheap immitations- and they look it. The replica Gucci's, Channel's and Louis are in the back rooms under cover. Just ask the pushy salesmen for the "good bags". Walk away at least twice and dont pay more than $60 bucks. They will act like you are robbing them...LOL be firm in your price point. I purchased a very nice replica Louis for $55 and he started at $120. I went shopping day three and loaded up. They all know you are there for surgery, just tell them if they won't barter that you are tired and will maybe come back. The price starts to drop dramatically. I also picked up some beautiful handmade tiles with birds on them. They are my weight loss birds and I love them.
Congrats and Good Luck everyone. Your in good hands.

Dr Garcia
Home town Chicago
Arrival date 2/27/2013 Tijuana Mexico @ 9am. And surgery same date
I am 38 registered nurse (urology)
5'6
Highest weight 240lbs
Current weight. 227Lbs
Goal weight. 150Lbs

Dr Terry Scarborough at TLC Surgery in the med center did mine. I have had zero complications and 4 1/2 months post op and have lost a little over 65 lbs, with 40 to go. Dr Yu is his practice partner and I have heard very good things about him too. They've been on the local news about their successful procedures. I think this link is on their website. Good luck!

So I finally made it home and I felling great ! Gonna just take things one day at a time and look forward to this new beginning . About to eat me some Jello and call it a night! Thanks to all my sleeve buddies that wished me well wishes.
Oh yeah .... Just a head up when they take the drain out it feels so weird... Lol
Also when i went through the border I didn't have a passport I just used my ID and birth certificate

Surgery date Feb. 15th!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for your kind words of support. Today is the big day. We head to the hospital in 3.5 hours.
I rode in from the airport with two gals - one had lost 200 pounds in less than a year with VSG and was here to help her friend. Helps me to keep an eye on the prize.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

I've read good. I've read about others who have heard about bad, and I've seen one first hand account of bad. However, I've had several family members and several friends have this surgery here in the states... and one of them got DEATHLY ill. I really think it's the luck of the draw. Whatever is destined to happen will happen. I'm not saying that you should try your luck in some back ally with a scruffy looking guy named Joe, but I am saying is there is ALWAYS a risk, regardless of where in the world, or who in the world, is doing your surgery. Do what you feel is right. If you have doubts, change it. If you are comfortable, do your thing!
 
Best of luck either which way you decide to go. I slapped down my deposit for Dr. Almanza this morning. Holy crap what a big fat step that was!! (The only kind of steps I take hahaha)